“It’s about a better future for my kids.” — Shona Espinoza, middle school paraeducator As a special education paraeducator in Kalamazoo Public Schools, MEA member Shona Espinoza serves as a lifeline for many kids but can’t afford the level of health care or housing she needs for herself and her son. Last year she moved [...]
Stories by MEA Voice Editor Brenda Ortega MEA member Robin Moore (left), who works at Lansing Community College, is a captain in the campaign. Jeff Wilson, who works at Michigan State University, is a member of the MEA Board of Directors and Ad-Hoc Committee for the campaign. MEA member Jeff Wilson sees the Michigan ESP [...]
Click to view online. In this issue: LETTER TO MEMBERS: After budget, what is next NEWS & NOTES: ICYMI // Quotables // Above and Beyond // Featured Update AEM/MiNE: Ensuring all are included MEMBER VOICES: Hard history teaches if we listen IN THE NEWS: UTSF recognition at MSU part of a growing movement IN THE […]
MiCAREER connects new, experienced teachers with vacancies in underserved communities A new effort to connect educators with rural school districts across Michigan is working to fill classroom vacancies in high-need communities by offering no-cost credentialing to aspiring and experienced educators alike. Led by Central Michigan University, the new MiCAREER Resource Hub streamlines and coordinates credentialing […]
From WOOD-TV: A Spanish teacher at Ionia Middle School is using social media in a way that’s changing his students’ lives. Craig Gurnee, better known to his students as Señor Gurnee, has raised enough money to help 16 students travel abroad, demonstrating the power of culture and community. Read more.
Lawmakers came together last week to pass an education budget that provides needed investments for students and educators. After months of delays and missed deadlines, the budget provides positive improvements for our schools in some areas while falling short in others. Hopefully, lawmakers can build on this bipartisan solution and move forward to tackle […]
The 2026 Michigan state budget that resulted from last-minute negotiations spilling into the new fiscal year works out to be a net positive for public education, according to an initial MEA analysis. Educators from across the state held steady pressure on lawmakers to help break the months-long budget stalemate, including several dozen who descended on […]
The following statement can be attributed to MEA President & CEO Chandra Madafferi regarding the Legislature’s passage of the 2025-26 education budget: “While overdue and still with areas of concern, the education budget for this school year is finally complete and makes important investments in the success of Michigan’s students and the educators who serve […]
On Thursday night, word came in Lansing that a budget deal was reached for the state’s new fiscal year that starts this Wednesday, Oct. 1. Related to that deal, the House passed several revenue enhancing bills for road funding. Details about what is in the education budget for preK-12 and higher education are unknown as […]
UPDATE 9/26: On Thursday night, word came in Lansing that a budget deal was reached for the state’s new fiscal year that starts this Wednesday, Oct. 1. Related to that deal, the House passed several revenue enhancing bills for road funding. Details about what is in the education budget for preK-12 and higher education are [...]
